I just purchased a classic 2007 1500 2wd 6 1/2 ft bed 3.23 axle rato V6 Automatic,..I know that I can tow 4800 lbs but trailerlife guide says that I should have the factory installed tow package. I know that it has the trailering harness and a tow haul device on the steering wheel. No hitch. How do I know if it is considered having the "factory installed tow package"? I will be looking to tow a small lite trailer only a few times a year but do not want to push the truck, it was a steal with only 2860 miles on it. I had a 5th wheel and loved it. Is it feasible to look at them or out of the question with this truck. I need to make sure that I am good to go before I make the trailer purchase. Would it have the tranny cooler if it has the wiring harness?

 

Get yourself an electronic break keep the trailer weight under 5000 lbs and you will be OK. As far as a 5th wheel????? Don't get your hopes up unless it's a really small 5th wheel.
I pulled a 20ft Prowler with an 4.6 engine in an Astor van no problems outside of the small rear end, which would burn bearings. This suite my needs so well and pulled this trailer so well that I went through 3 Astros' pulling this trailer all with with over 100,000 miles each. My 1st Astro had 3.23 gears the last two had 3.73 gears and they work better over all. If you keep the weight under 5K it should work fine.

I currently am running a 05 silverado crew cab with a 5.3 engine and 3.73 gears pulling a 27ft travel trailer weighing 6650 lbs with no problems and the truck has 81,000+ miles.

I use a superchips programer, what I like is the adjustablility of the programer. In Tow mode it adjusts your shift points and timming which seam to work well for this purpose. I like the shift adjust so well I keep it in that mode for daily driving using 87 octane gas, however when towing my trailer I only use 91 octane as recomended.

The other items that will make towing more enjoyable or safe is an easy lift system and anti-sway bar, especially the sway bar.

With the V-6 you have limitations as I do with the 5.3 however you can make some adjustments to increase your tow ability.

Good luck

jvp

 

How big of a "small" trailer are you refering too? With my 90 model I towed my bike trailer with 2 streetbikes on it. The trailer was attached to the bumper; not a tow hitch. Oh and it was a 5.7. Now with my 5.3 I tow the same trailer and I had the same 2 street bikes on it. I had the trailer and bikes weighed and it weighed roughly 2,300 Lbs. We trailer from Texas to New York to W. Virginia. Rode the bikes and then trailered back to Texas. Now my truck has a tow hitch and I use it, but if I didn't have the hitch I would just have hooked to the bumper. I will tell you though that the hitch does make backing the trailer much easier than just being hooked to the bumper.